Buying a mountain bike: 27.5 or 29 inches? We help out

The mountain bike industry is currently undergoing a change. This concerns the wheel size, as there the decision between 27.5 and 29 inches is in the foreground. We clarify the pros and cons.

27.5 or 29 inches: small and maneuverable versus large and quiet.

The trend towards wheels with a dimension of 29 inches (73.66 cm) is relatively young, but manufacturers' ranges have already jumped on it in full. For many bikes, even both configurations are possible.

Mountain bike with 27.5 or 29 inch wheels: What matters?

The advantages and disadvantages of both sizes can be explained with simple physics:

• The larger 29-inch wheels mean more smoothness and stability, plus you roll over obstacles at a more favorable angle.
• With 27.5 inches, on the other hand, you accelerate faster, the mountain bike is more maneuverable and somewhat lighter. In technically demanding terrain, this is an advantage.
• For the decision thus play their own preferences as well as physical characteristics a role. Because for small cyclists 29-inch wheels could be a bit too big and bulky, which cancels out the advantages. However, this is also a matter of taste and not an iron law.

Because of these differences, it is advisable to test ride both variants before buying. Das gilt insbesondere, wenn die Anschaffung eines teuren Mountainbikes geplant ist – hier ist es schließlich umso wichtiger, dass wirklich alles passt.